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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:First impressions DO count, and so does what comes afterward! Learn how to stand out, shine and make a stellar lasting impression as you enter the workforce. We send messages constantly—through our body language, actions, what we carry with us and what we wear...and most of this has nothing to do with what we actually say. Being aware of the messages you send is the first step in learning how to build an overall (and sustainable) image of professionalism that will assure others that you are capable, competent, and right for the job. In an easy-to-read format, and with simple and actionable steps, this book will help you discover how others perceive you when you make a first impression, and will show you how to ensure that the world sees you the way you want it to. An expert in the field of communications and human relations, Jennifer Swanson has written a must-read book for students, new graduates, job seekers or anyone looking to fulfill their professional goals.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:What They See is a must read book for all graduates. I work in a conservative profession (accounting) and teach accounting at a University and this books is spot on. I am so shocked at what I see when interviewing people as well as let me students know how "what they see" in the first contact (campus, career center, tailgate event, office, etc) is so critical.

What They See, goes beyond how to dress, it is about how to present yourself. It includes check lists, "quizzes," and a thirty day challenge. My favorite lists (totally agree with them): Eleven attributes of a true professional, nine skills your employer wants you to have, how to dress your desk and work ethics. How to dress your desk really hit home with me. I had to take a look around my office and realized, I had way too many personal items in it. My thought was, I spend so much time here, I was making the space "mine." However, I realized I made it too much "mine" and it lost its professionalism. Some other advice I completely agree with…..Screen saver, cell phone ring tones, and be accountable. Screen savers in my opinion should be the one that company issues. Employees should not change them. Cell phone ring tones….UGH. They say SO much about you. I have this discussion with my husband all the time. He thinks it is great (and funny) to have different ring tones for different people. I think it is unprofessional and that he should have his phone on silent. Also, if you work in an open setting (including cubes) it is VERY disruptive. Accountable is a HUGE topic for me. Stop blaming everyone else and be accountable. My kids are great NOT being accountable. Everything is because of something some else did or didn't do. I can't stand it…be accountable, regardless.

Anyone looking for a job, or in a job should read What They See…there is something for everyone in the book. You will not be disappointed. I am recommending What They See to all my students and giving it to graduates as a gift.

Jennifer Swanson has been teaching Communication and Human Relation skills since 1993 to college students entering the medical field. She is also the creator/host of the Communication Diva Podcast, which has an international audience and helps people in deepening workplace and personal relationships through more effective communication. In addition to teaching young adults, Swanson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, has worked in the Youth and Family Ministry for 3 years, has a Master's Degree in Public and Pastoral Leadership, and is a certified conflict coach and Master NLP Practitioner. She is also a mother and step-mother to two young adults and two teens. Swanson draws upon years of expertise as she shares her passion for inspiring others to reach their full potential with readers and audiences worldwide.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:Far too many people in contemporary culture feel they don’t have enough time to “get it all done.” The stress of this chronic overwhelm creates a disorganized mind that leads to a chaotic life. Based on her highly acclaimed “Energy Management” workshops, and drawn from over 25 years of counseling and coaching experience, professional trainer and speaker Jackie Woodside shares her breakthrough methods that lead to becoming the least stressed, most productive person you know!In Calming the Chaos, you will learn the step-by-step skills and thought processes that lead to increased productivity and peace of mind. Jackie’s approach stems from the new frontier of human performance called energetic consciousness. Part philosophy, part psychology, fully practical application, you will learn:

• Why there is no such thing as time management and what to do instead.• How to manage your energy instead of your time and stress.• The three-step formula for managing every component of your life for the rest of your life! • Why “to-do lists” are a set up for failure and what really works. • “The Three Strikes Rule” that will end procrastination for good!• How to always know that you have the time for what you want and need to do!

Many books promise to change your life. Applying these principles will make this a reality!

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I have to let you all know, I was not in a good place in my life when I started reading Calming the Chaos. I immediately starting changing my habits as I was reading the book….holy cow how my life has changed. We all know we live in a "quick fix" world. I know I do and my family does too. However, change (especially in behavior) takes time. It is not a quick fix. Section two of Calming the Chaos: Deepening Your Awareness as the Path to Change, hit me really hard. I can't stand what the author describes as the "busy game." The more busy you can tell people you are, the more important you are. I know so many people that fall into this category, including myself. I always think the more I do (work, home, kids school, community, church, etc.) the more people will value me. What I realized is I am spread too thin and could do so much better all around by doing less (and saying no).The Levels of Consciousness Model spoke volumes to me, especially the relationship with time. It makes such a difference to be conscious of how we are actually spending our time. I was so surprised to realize that what I thought was a "quick 5 minute stop" was more like 30 minutes. No wonder I am always rushing/late!I really liked the Energy Drain Inventory Scoring Tool. I was not surprised by my score based on what I had read in the book. To summarize…I was drowning in clutter. This took me right into learning the difference between busy and productive. I don't want to be busy, I want to be productive. The descriptions between the two made it very clear how I needed to change my behavior/energy in order be productive. My favorite quotes: ~"Things are not happening to you, they are happing for you." (Howard Falco). ~"We complain to others and ourselves that we need to slow down, to unplug and yet we do nothing about it. "

~"Change your consciousness and everything changes."Calming the Chaos has helped me refocus and re-channel my energy. So much has changed for me and my family.

Fast read/slow read: Fast read

Cover: Says it all!

What Others Are Saying: Make sure you check out the rest of the iRead Book Tour stops.

Jackie Woodside, CPC, LICSW is a psychotherapist, coach, speaker and author, specializing in the power of managing personal energy, rather than time or stress. An Amazon bestselling author of 'What If It’s Time for a Change?' and highly sought-after speaker on leadership and empowerment topics, Jackie conducts training programs for public, private and government sectors nationwide.

Friday, June 12, 2015

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:Transform Your Blog into a Book!The world of blogging is rapidly changing, but it remains one of the most efficient ways to write and share your work with an eager audience. But how do you purposefully hone your blog content into a uniquely positioned book that will be noticed by an agent or a publisher?

How to Blog a Book Revised and Expanded Edition is a completely updated guide to writing and publishing a saleable book based on a blog. Expert author and blogger Nina Amir guides you through the process of developing targeted blog content that will increase your chances of publication and maximize your visibility as an author.

In this revised edition you’ll find:

• The latest information on how to set up, maintain, and optimize a blog• Steps for writing a book easily from scratch using blog posts• Advice on how to write blog posts• Tips on gaining visibility and promoting your work both online and off• Current tools for driving traffic to your blog• Extensive information on how to monetize your existing blog content into a book or other products• Profiles with authors who received blog-to-book deals, including four new “from blog to book” success stories

One (or more) Sentence Summary: How to Blog a Book has a ton of very helpful information, if you are interested in turning your blog into a book. The book starts out with just the basics of setting up a blog. It carries you all the way through to tips on getting you book published. There are tips on the different types of blogs you can set up, make sure you are going to write about something you know about (and enjoy), and write often. You will learn about copyright laws, plan your book blog, map out the content, how to drive people to your blog, agents, self-publishing and much more.

Nina Amir, the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book and The Author Training Manual, is a speaker, a blogger, and an author, book, and blog-to-book coach. Known as the Inspiration to Creation Coach, she helps creative people combine their passion and purpose so they move from idea to inspired action and positively and meaningfully impact the world as writers, bloggers, authorpreneurs, and blogpreneurs. Some of Nina’s clients have sold 300,000+ copies of their books, landed deals with major publishing houses and created thriving businesses around their books. She is the founder of National Nonfiction Writing Month, aka the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge, and the Nonfiction Writers’ University. As a hybrid author she has published 15 books and had as many as four books on the Amazon Top 100 list at the same time.